For the second straight year, one of Buffalo’s biggest annual events will have a CHS graduate leading the way.

Fr. Dave Richards ’90 is the grand marshal of Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, run by Buffalo’s United Irish American Association.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to lead the parade,” said Fr. Richards. “That’s why it’s so special for me – especially representing beautiful South Buffalo, the Irish heartbeat of Western New York.”

Thousands will be downtown for the parade, which starts at 2 p.m. Sunday at Niagara Square, running north on Delaware Avenue until North Street, just a mile south of CHS.

Liam Knott '03 had the honors of being the grand marshal for the 2024 parade.

On Wednesday, Richards joined Mayor Christopher Scanlon and other dignitaries for the raising of the Irish flag in Niagara Square across from City Hall.

Richards, who has been a priest for 15 years, is the parochial vicar of the Catholic Community of Buffalo-North and has been the chaplain of the UIAA since 2009. Fr. Richards has was first assigned to St. Gregory the Great parish in Williamsville, followed by Queen of Heaven in West Seneca and Our Lady of Pompeii in Lancaster.

Fr. Richards is the eldest of four children of Margaret Mary (Nash) Richards and the late Daniel Richards. Fr. Richards has selected as Deputy Marshals his mother, his sisters Elizabeth Sheehan and Molly Kooshoian, and his brother John Richards.

Sheehan, mother of Tommy Sheehan ’25, is a Co-Chair of this year’s GAMBIT 50, while Kooshoian, mother of Peter Kooshoian ’24 was a Co-Chair of last year’s GAMBIT XLIX. Fr. Richards is a frequent attendee of CHS alumni events.   

The 2025 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is dedicated to the memory of Janet O’Sullivan, a longtime resident of South Buffalo and volunteer to the UIAA who saw two of her sons, Michael and Patrick, become grand marshals of the parade.

Parade day begins with 10:30 a.m. Mass at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral – which will be celebrated by Fr. Richards and Bishop Michael Fisher – and prior to the lineup around the McKinley Monument in Niagara Square. 

Families and students interested in the unmatched excellence of a Jesuit education at Canisius and the benefits of being part of Western New York’s best alumni network can learn more by reserving a spot at our Spring Open House on Sunday, April 27 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse

This place is special. Let us show you why.

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